[rep97]

So I am taking this new medication to treat schizophrenia... it is called clozapine. Does anyone else take it here?

I got blurry vision last night and I couldn't see much... and I get hungry a lot so I have put on weight too...

Does anyone else take it? If so, what side effects did you have and did your doctor stop it after sideeffects?

[Sometimes psychotic]

Clozapine has the most weight gain of any AP. Have you tried others first?

I'm starting clozapine soon. How long have you been on it? Do you get any other side effects?

[rep97]

I have been on it for a week and blurry vision, too much saliva during sleep, hungry more often and weight gain are the things I've noticed so far.

I have been on invega for years but it doesn't work or help me with anything.

Originally Posted by rep97

I have been on it for a week and blurry vision, too much saliva during sleep, hungry more often and weight gain are the things I've noticed so far.

I have been on invega for years but it doesn't work or help me with anything.

OK thanks for the update

Clozapine has a relatively rare but deadly side effect: It destroys your white blood cells in your immune system.

Consequently, you will need your blood drawn once a week for the first two months, then bi-monthly, then monthly.

Has your psychiatrist told you about this?

Originally Posted by kindness

Clozapine has a relatively rare but deadly side effect: It destroys your white blood cells in your immune system.

Consequently, you will need your blood drawn once a week for the first two months, then bi-monthly, then monthly.

Has your psychiatrist told you about this?

Yes I've had blood taken already to check my normal levels of white blood cells which were fine. I start clozapine in 4 days and then being monitored at home by the crisis Team to take my blood pressure 3 times a day. Aswell as the blood tests weekly. I asked what if it doesn't work for me and my psychiatrist said about a risperdal/abilify combination Since for the most part I was doing well on risperdal but had to come off because of the prolactin levels and abilify can help reduce prolactin levels.

[RunningEagleRuns]

I've taken Clozaril for a couple years.. It has made my symptoms go away, but there is weight gain. Good luck!

I've known people who have taken every anti-psychotic on the market and nothing worked. Then they took Clozaril (clozapine) and it literally saved their lives.

I don't want to discourage anyone from taking clozapine; I just want everyone to know that you will need your blood drawn on a weekly basis in the beginning.

[rep97]

Originally Posted by kindness

I've known people who have taken every anti-psychotic on the market and nothing worked. Then they took Clozaril (clozapine) and it literally saved their lives.

I don't want to discourage anyone from taking clozapine; I just want everyone to know that you will need your blood drawn on a weekly basis in the beginning.

Yes, I did a blood test last week when I started the clozapine and I am geting another tomorrow.. .and weekly after that.

I am just not sure if the blurry vision is temporary or as long as I take it and weight gain is apparent too.. since I've gained weight since last week.

I've never taken clozapine (I take Seroquel), but my research indicates that the blurry vision is temporary. The weight gain question (I think) is impossible to answer with certainty.

I sincerely wish you the best. Keep us updated.

Originally Posted by rep97

So I am taking this new medication to treat schizophrenia... it is called clozapine. Does anyone else take it here?

I got blurry vision last night and I couldn't see much... and I get hungry a lot so I have put on weight too...

Does anyone else take it? If so, what side effects did you have and did your doctor stop it after sideeffects?

Clozapine is the most effective AP drug on the market for dealing with Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia.

I assume that with Clozapine a part of its effectiveness is down to the fact that people who are on it , generally take it, because it becomes harder to dupe the pdocs because of blood draws. What i'm saying is that lots of people that are termed treatment resistant , are folks that wont take their meds consistently and at the recommended dose. For nearly all other drugs, because there are no blood draws, it cant be proved one way or the other if persons are compliant. Depot injections of course, are outside of that.

So give clozapine a whirl and if it does not work for you , don't discount other meds , that may work , but only if you take them as prescribed.

When I wasn't getting any better , my pdoc gave me 2 choices Clozapine or Depot injection. I thought to myself ok, here are 2 forms of meds that I will have to take as prescribed , not much choice , so why not choose the med that was right for me. But this time , I would have to make it work (take my meds consistently). It was either that, clozapine, or injections..

[emmamental]

I'm on Clozapine.

I get side effects such as drooling, constipation and feeling spaced out. But it works.

xx